Coconut Cake
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
22 mins
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Total Time
37 mins
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Servings
16
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Course
Dessert
Coconut Cake
Description
The Coconut Cake recipe uses cake flour blended with sugar, baking powder, salt, and pudding mix to introduce moisture and subtle sweetness. Butter is creamed into the dry ingredients until crumbly, then a mixture of coconut milk, buttermilk, egg whites, eggs, and coconut extract is gradually added to create a light, fluffy batter. It is baked in two or three sized pans depending on the layer thickness desired.
The resulting layers are moist with a delicate crumb, carrying the mild flavor of coconut complemented by the extract. The frosting combines butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, cream, and coconut extract for a rich, smooth finish that pairs well with the cake. Topping with sweetened or flaked coconut adds texture and enhances the tropical profile.
If desired, canned coconut milk is recommended for its richness over boxed versions. The cake layers should be allowed to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting. Since the frosting contains cream cheese, refrigerate the cake to maintain freshness and firmness. Pans should be properly greased and floured or lined with parchment to prevent sticking.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups cake flour
- 1 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup Dry Pudding Mix coconut or vanilla
- 1 cup butter cut into cubes, softened
- 1 cup coconut milk full-fat, canned, unsweetened
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 4 egg white
- 1 egg
- 1 - 2 teaspoons coconut extract
Sweet Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 cup butter softened
- (1) ounce pkg. cream cheese softened
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
Simple Syrup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
Garnish:
- 1 1/2 cups coconut Sweetened or Flaked
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a standing mixer, stir together flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and pudding mix.
- Beat the butter into the flour mixture, one cube at a time. Continue to beat until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a small bowl, whisk together coconut milk, buttermilk, egg whites, egg, and coconut extract. Add the 1/2 of the egg-milk mixture and beat the batter is light and fluffy. Add remaining egg-milk mixture and mix just until combined. Take a spatula and scrape the sides of the bowl.
- Spread into greased pans and smooth tops with a spatula. Use two 9-inch pans or three 8-inch cake pans.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, depending on the depth of pans. If the cake layers are thin, they will cook for less time than the thicker layers. This time is for three thin 8-inch layers. Check for doneness by placing a cake tester or toothpick in center of the cake.
- Let cakes cool. Run a knife around edge of cake pan and flip over.
- To make simple syrup: heat water and sugar in a small pan over medium heat. Let it come to a simmer. Once the sugar is completely dissolved and is clear, remove from heat. Let cool. Brush simple syrup over cake layers.
- Sweet Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In mixing bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese for 4 minutes until light and fluffy. Stir in powdered sugar and heavy cream, milk, or cream of coconut. Add coconut extract, if so desired. Once the cake has cooled and has been removed from pans, frost each layer with frosting.
- Top each layer with sweetened coconut or place all flaked coconut on top of the cake or all over sides and top of the cake.
Notes
- You can substitute all-purpose flour for cake flour, though the texture may be denser; a mix of both can also work.
- Dry instant pudding mix contributes moisture and subtle sweetness; choose coconut or vanilla flavor.
- Canned coconut milk is preferred over boxed for creamier texture and better flavor.
- Adding about ½ cup shredded sweetened coconut directly to the batter boosts flavor and texture but is optional.
- Use thorough greasing and flouring of pans or parchment rounds to prevent cake sticking; let cool before removing layers.
- Refrigerate frosted cake due to cream cheese content to keep frosting fresh and firm.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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